PLENARY: PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The final day of debate on the proposed conceptual framework opened
with BURUNDI, who stressed that recognition of the
importance of the family should be addressed in the essential
principles section. He also recommended reversing the order of
chapters I and II to address the population situation before the
linkages with development. ARGENTINA mentioned that the term
"reproductive rights" in Chapter IV should be replaced with
"reproductive health." He added that abortion should not be
considered an appropriate method of family planning.

NEPAL stated that Chapter I should address the question of
population and sustainable development and economic growth in an
integrated manner. ROMANIA stressed the ageing problem and
suggested reversing the order of Chapters II and III, merging
Chapters IV and V, and merging Chapters VIII, IX, and X in light of
their interrelatedness. LATVIA outlined his country's unique
demographic problems that stem from Soviet occupation including:
death from unnatural causes; poor maternal and infant health; and
the loss of 40% of ethnic Latvians.

DENMARK commented on the specific point of adolescent
sexuality and fertility. TANZANIA stated that the paragraph
on family planning programmes, should promote both modern and
traditional methods of family planning. The MALDIVES called
for promotion of the voluntary use of family planning and the
importance of creating awareness by involving spiritual and
political leaders.

The BANGLADESH INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH FOR PROMOTION OF
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH spoke on behalf of Asian NGOs and described
the major Asian problems related to population and development. The
ASSOCIATION FOR VOLUNTARY SURGICAL CONTRACEPTION called for
the articulation of standards for the provision of family planning
services. The THIRD WORLD NETWORK urged consideration of:
unsustainable consumption; poverty elimination; democratic and safe
family planning; the empowerment of women; and the importance of
ensuring that population reduction is not a conditionality for aid.

SWEDEN urged the donor community to be more active in the
population field, but added that aid is not a substitute for
malfunctioning government policies. THAILAND suggested that
the preamble of the final document include the Rio Declaration,
Agenda 21 and regional declarations on population and development.
He added that the issue of "health and mortality" should form a
separate chapter. NIGER stressed the need to build
institutional capacity to implement effective population policies.

BOLIVIA focused on national population issues and urged that
the conceptual framework reflect indigenous issues. NORWAY
urged the need for legislation that protects women from sexual
discrimination. BURKINA FASO said there is a need to stress
the eradication of hunger and food security in Chapter I(b) and the
link between poverty and the environment in Chapter I(c). She also
urged promotion of the community approach in Chapter V (health and
mortality).

The UNITED KINGDOM stated that each section of the document
start with the underlying rights, obligations and responsibilities
and that the section on reproductive health should examine the
means by which people can have informed contraceptive choice.
Echoing the US, he requested that a first draft of the main
document for PrepCom III be circulated to governments and NGOs
during the 48th session of the General Assembly. NEW ZEALAND
said that Chapter II must focus on securing the involvement of
women at all levels of decision making and supported the Dominican
Republic's comments on ageing issues in Chapter III. JAPAN
said that the Preamble and Chapter I should emphasize
population growth. He supported the EC's suggestion for four
clusters of guiding principles. He suggested that Chapter IV(b) on
family planning should highlight successful strategies.
JAMAICA said it was disturbing that as biomedical advances
offer women more options, religious fundamentalists impose their
views on secular society and deny women their reproductive choice.

MOROCCO stated that the international community must
increase financial resources for population programmes and he
stressed that the family is too important to only be addressed in
one small section. NICARAGUA stated that demographic growth
is not the principle factor of environmental degradation. She
stressed the need in Chapter III(d) for commitment of both men and
women to the family unit. The CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
mentioned a number of points that must be addressed in the final
document including: education for girls; effects of structural
adjustment; abortion; and that family planning is a matter of
education and information.

UGANDA stressed the importance of family life education,
primary health care, and the role of NGOs in effective population
programmes. ZAIRE stated that: reducing illiteracy rates
will help ensure the success of family planning programmes;
mechanisms are needed to create new employment; and strengthening
national institutional frameworks. DISABLED PEOPLES'
INTERNATIONAL pointed out the omission of people with
disabilities in the conceptual framework. She stated succinctly,
among other things, that people with disabilities are not asexual
and need access to family planning information.

COICA, an Amazon indigenous peoples' organization, called
for an end to genocide of indigenous peoples. The WORLD
POPULATION FOUNDATION, on behalf of European NGOs, stated that
it will only cost US$2 per year to protect women from unwanted
pregnancies and urged access to contraception, especially in poor
countries. The COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION focussed on
adolescent fertility issues and related health problems.